Fox's plan for Nepean land won't tempt locals

Anti-development campaigners have reacted angrily to plans by multi-millionaires Lindsay Fox and David Deague to buy former defence land at Point Nepean from the Federal Government.

Campaigner Kate Baillieu said yesterday she was horrified at the prospect of the land being in private hands.

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"This is a once-in-our-lifetime opportunity to do something really wonderful and visionary and all we could end up with is one rich bloke building a couple of houses there. It will be a bloody tragedy, I can tell you," she said.

Ms Baillieu has been a long-time complainant about Mr Fox's helicopter landing at his Portsea home.

The two men are considering separate plans for the 85-hectare site. Mr Fox is eyeing the land for a long-term investment and possibly as more holiday residences for his family, while Mr Deague wants to use the heritage buildings as a tourism and education precinct. Both men plan to donate the bushland areas to the Victorian people.

Environment Victoria, which has been working with the Portsea community, also said the plans were unacceptable. Environment Victoria's Eric Noel said the entire site ought to remain in public hands.

Expressions of interest will arrive today at real estate agents Colliers International. Among them will be a number of proposals from educational institutions, many of which have the support of the local community, says pharmacist Marc Clavin, president of the Portsea-Sorrento Chamber of Commerce.

The Victorian National Parks Association and the National Trust will also submit a plan to keep the site in public hands, under the management of Parks Victoria. The bid, which is backed by more than 100 community groups, will rely on donations.

It is believed this proposal has the support of 2006 Commonwealth Games chairman Ron Walker.

The land is valued at more than $20 million and buyers will be subject to heritage, environmental and planning restrictions.